A world-renowned diabetes researcher has joined Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s, with the goal of curing Type 1 diabetes. Balamurugan N. Appakalai, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Bala, is a leading researcher in islet cell transplants and is widely considered one of the most skilled islet isolation specialists…
While pediatric and adolescent thyroid dysfunction can affect many bodily functions, there’s no need to run thyroid labs in all pediatric and adolescent patients, according to a pediatric and adult endocrinologist with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s. “I don’t recommend routine screening unless I suspect something is going…
An internationally known researcher is joining Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s, with the goal of curing Type 1 diabetes. Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s announced plans to build a specialized laboratory to help him and his team carry out their groundbreaking work and become a hub for diabetes research…
Primary care providers and pediatricians play an invaluable role in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and timely interventions. “Diagnosing diabetes mellitus often starts with pediatricians or other primary care providers when parents bring in their child for unexplained weight loss, frequent urination and excessive fluid consumption,” said Brad Thrasher, D.O., MBA, pediatric endocrinologist with Wendy…
Insulin administration has advanced well beyond the “old school” delivery with a vial and syringe. Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus cared for at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Children’s Endocrinology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, are often prescribed a prefilled insulin pen with a choice of dosing…
Recently approved Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv), is delivering breakthrough results that suggest it may delay the onset of Stage 3 Type 1 diabetes by an average of two years. The first-in-class drug is approved for adults and children ages 8 and older with Stage 2 Type 1 diabetes. “Delaying the onset of Stage 3 not only postpones…
Afrezza inhaled insulin, currently approved for adults, is being tested for children in a clinical trial at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Children’s Endocrinology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Norton Children’s is one of 40 sites nationally participating in the Phase 3 trial. Afrezza is an ultra-fast-acting inhaled mealtime insulin,…
Successful management of congenital hypothyroidism requires timely confirmation of the diagnosis, accurate interpretation of thyroid function testing, effective treatment and consistent follow-up. “Severe intellectual impairment typically does not occur in patients who receive the diagnosis and are treated early and adequately,” said Kupper A. Wintergerst, M.D., chief, pediatric endocrinology and director of the Wendy Novak…
For children with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, thyroid function testing can help with further evaluation and diagnosis. Hypothyroidism affects 4.6% of the U.S. population, while hyperthyroidism is less common, with a prevalence of 1.3%. Signs of thyroid conditions Symptoms of hypothyroidism in a child may include fatigue, slow reaction time, constipation, coarse hair, dry skin,…
A $15 million gift from the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation will expand and elevate the diabetes care we offer and help ease the burden of living with diabetes for children and adults across the region. With the transformative gift, Norton Healthcare is expanding diabetes education, outreach, programming and research with the creation of…
Most children who have diabetes get their medical care for their condition from a pediatric endocrinologist. As they get older and approach adulthood, they will transition into adult care. It’s important to discuss the process and timing for transition of diabetes care from the pediatric world to an adult diabetes provider. A recent publication from…
A recent in-depth study looking at regional differences in childhood obesity rates found higher average body mass index (BMI) z-scores in the Midwest and lower average z-scores in the South and West, compared with the Northeast. The study, “Regional and sociodemographic differences in average BMI among U.S. children in the ECHO program,” looked at a…